Retaliation: the beginning

Chapter 21: "A reason to fight."

A single action can cause a life to veer off in a direction it was never meant to go. Falling in love can do that, you think, and so can a wild party, however, you cannot hinder someone's free will, that's the first law of the Universe, no matter what the decision. You can only marvel at the way each has the power to forever alter an individual's compass.

If only Aaron knew he would be caught, he wouldn't have pursued the hunters in the first place.

It was a stupid plan.

He had a lot of those lately.

The elder Tomson did not like the idea of being followed; Aaron could see him signaling to his sister.

Boy he was in trouble.

"Why were you following us?" The hunter asked already in position to attack.

"Wow no reason I was just," His eyes darted to the cars around "Going to my car." He pointed at the red VW Beetle.

Nice dodge.

"Shane let's just go." His sister moaned from behind.

"No." He shook his head "I want to know."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Aaron interjected, "I just told you."

"I want to know if I'm strong enough to beat them." He said getting closer while the other stood back. "You were so strong the first time we met."

Aaron waved his hand dismissively. "Oh that's just the gym." But the hunter wasn't in the mood for jokes.

He looked...defeated.

"Fight me; I want to know if I'm good enough." He said clenching his fists.

"I can't do that."

"Fight me!" he insisted again, holding a threatening dagger between his eyes. He couldn't get any more childlike, currently frowning in annoyance, but extraordinarily good looking; Aaron thought. The thing that stood out the most in him was his eyes; his eyes were almond shaped with thin lashes. He had quit an unusual blond hair that shone even in the darkness of the night. Still, his eyes caught his attention the strongest. They were gold, like antique jewelry, and so captivating that his breathing became faster, and faster as he came closer and closer.

Aaron had to shake himself to stop staring and actually get on with his work.

"I really shouldn't be here; I don't even know why I followed you." He said embarrassed to have been staring, even if he wasn't caught as the hunter still refused to let go.

"You're really thick headed."

A groan emanated from behind the dagger, and then a small, muffled "So are you," followed.

Aaron rolled his eyes in amusement, holding back a snort of laughter, before simply moving the dagger from his face. "Look I'll fight you tomorrow," he promised.

"I want you now."

That came out wrong.

He was making it real difficult for Aaron to hold his snorts.

It was the second to follow that changed everything, Shane; obviously not taking no for an answer, decided to swing his fist and make that one punch, that one mistake.

He glared at the other man but wasn't expecting the response he thought he'd get. Seeing Aaron take a deep breath and just yell.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

That was it.

Aaron' switch flipped because now he was certain that behind those puppy dog eyes was a massive asshole. He spat blood then licked his split lip that healed in a second, seeing Shane's eyes opened wide; he realized what he just did.

"Oh fuck..."

Aaron was not the only one having a bad night; Elias Harper was struggling on his bike. A flat tire could be a real pain sometimes, especially when you're in a hurry.

He tiredly blinked as he observed his surroundings. "Almost there," He forced his feet on the wheels. "come on, just a little more."

The parking lot was two feet away, right passed an open space. So he abandoned his bike next to a meter before he carefully set foot on the grass.

There was a small thump that got him turning on his feet; his eyes looked around seeking a point of impact.

The whole area was covered in a cloud of dust. Two shadows stood up out of the dust, opposite each other.

Clay Tomson dusted off his suit and wiped off the smudges on his glasses.

Elias gawked ducking behind a bush immediately. They didn't appear to notice him; they seemed caught up in their own world.

Clay gave a small smile, "Okay, I've got to say, that was impressive." he looked back at his opponent, "Where did you learn that?"

Another figure stood up as her body was covered in a bright light. When it faded, a young girl was standing there with a big, grin waving what appeared to be a cheer stick. She placed it against her cheek and grinned, "I'm not telling."

"You know, you already killed that boy. What are you still doing here" Clay furrowed his eyes and crossed his arms while the girl chuckled, "You don't have to act so smug."

"Oh this? This ain't smug. I can show you smug if you want but you won't be able to handle it." she said with a giddy tone at being able to outdo her rival.

Elias stepped a bit closer hoping to hear more, but he only ended up crushing the branch under his feet with a creek. He gritted his teeth when he peeked and saw them standing still.

"I see we have company," The girl said turning around to leave. "I'd love to stay and play but I feel outnumbered."

Clay made an annoyed sound, blue twinkles surrounded his body before he disappeared. And In a blink of an eye he appeared right in front of the girl.

"You're not going anywhere but jail." He said as he inched himself closer.

The girl smiled brushing a single strand of hair from her eyes. "Now look who's the smug" she said before she vanished.